Reykjavik is a very vivid city. Half of
Iceland's population, around 140,000 people, live in Reykjavik or the
surrounding city's. Just outside the city-centre lies a big lake, with lots of
geese. Mind your step.

The big church can be seen from far away. It was
built from ... to ... The columns next to the tower resemble basalt-columns.
It is supposed to be very impressive inside as well, but for some strange
reason we were only near the church júst after 6 o'clock, closing-time. The
Viking in front of the church is the first European in America, or Wine-land,
as the Vikings called it. And we think of Vikings as beer-drinking
types.

Another sight is Perlan, the Pearl. The six
enormous barrels hold hot water, for energy. The dome on top is a restaurant, which rotates slowly. Just below it is a cafeteria,
where the soup has a more reasonable price. At this level you have to do the
walking around yourself to have a look all over the town.

Iceland gives you ideas about Vikings and
Scandinavian design. This sculpture of a Viking-ship, at the harbour of
Reykjavik, unites those.

The open air museum Arbćjarsafn has a lot of houses and shops from all over Iceland. The staff is dressed in
historical costumes and performs historical tasks, like spinning wool with a
spinning wheel, baking cookies and selling candy.

There is also a movie about
Reykjavik in the 20th century, a bit like Holland in the 20th century but
nevertheless different. More isolated and on its own, we think.

In Reykjavik are some big events. When we were
there, there was the Gay Pride weekend, with a big parade. Unfortunately it
poured during the parade, so we didn't have a look at it. The next weekend
there was a marathon ánd the cultural evening. Events like like attract
thousands of people. You better book a room in advance, otherwise a bench in
the park may be your fate.

The Blue Lagoon, halfway the airport and
Reykjavik, is very famous. The baths are heated with geothermal energy (in
fact, Blue Lagoon is filled with wastewater of the electricity-plant, which
cooled the water down from almost 100 degrees to a mere 40). In Reykjavik are
several swimming-pools. They all have warm geothermal water and hot-pots. It
is quite an experience to lie in a hot-pot and look over Reykjavik at the same
time. The backside are some of the ideas of Icelandic people about hygiene:
although you have to shower yourself with soap and without bathing suit before
entering the swimming-pool. it is quite normal to spit a large, green slimy
thing into the water. Yuk ...

Reykjavik has two airports: the small one with
only national flights in the city itself, close to the big lake, and Keflavik
International Airport, some 40 kilometres away. Here, you are welcomed by a
glass rainbow, by Runi, an Icelandic artist. She hopes that someday the rest
of the rainbow will be made as well.